Korean Full Course

Formal polite speech

Polite formal speech is used when speaking to someone who is older or has a higher social status than the speaker, such as a teacher or a boss. It is also used between strangers at the start of a conversation, among colleagues in more formal settings such as work meetings, by TV announcers, when talking to customers, in certain fixed expressions. This speech level is characterized by the use of polite language and deferential words and phrases. For example, a student might say to their teacher, "선생님, 저는 숙제를 다 했습니다." (Teacher, I have finished my homework.) using Forma polite speech.

More examples,

See this tutorial Declarative Sentences.

Informal polite speech

Informal polite speech is the most commonly used speech level. It is used when speaking to strangers or those who have a similar social status as the speaker, such as a coworker. This speech level is less formal than Formal polite speech, but it still uses polite language and deferential words and phrases. For example, a student might say to another student who is not close enough or older than them, "철수 씨, 숙제를 다 했어요?" (Chulsoo, have you finished your homework?) using informal polite speech.

More examples,

닫아요, 놓아요, 가요, 봐요, 와요, 먹어요, 서요, 겪어요, 켜요, 구워요, 바꿔요, 입어요, 마셔요, 돼요, 보내요, 세요, 뒤어요, 나빠요, 골라요, 커요, 기뻐요, 말해요, 공부해요.

Check out this tutorial Past Tense (았/었/였) to learn when to use 아요, 어요, and 여요. The logic is the same.

Casual speech

Casual speech is used when speaking to someone who is close to the speaker, such as a family member or a close friend, including kids. This speech level is more relaxed than the other speech levels, and it often uses contractions and informal vocabulary. Never use this Casual speech level when talking to strangers or people older than you. For example, a friend might say to their close friend, "야, 철수야, 숙제를 다 했어?" (Hey, Chulsoo, have you finished your homework?) using casual speech.

More examples,

닫아, 놓아, 가, 봐, 와, 먹어, 서, 겪어, 켜, 구워, 바꿔, 입어, 마셔, 돼, 보내, 세 뒤어, 나빠, 골라, 커, 기뻐, 말해, 공부해.

Check out this tutorial Past Tense (았/었/였) to learn when to use 아, 어, and 여. The logic is the same.